Scottsdale Parents: SPC is working to prevent school fund sacrifices

Our state legislature provides less funding for education per student than almost any other state in the country.

That lack of funding means the Scottsdale Unified School District must ask voters to renew the budget override every five years.

By renewing the SUSD budget override, the school district will receive approximately $19 million more a year to maintain and operate our schools without raising the property tax rate.

If voters fail to renew the override, funding for the school district will automatically be reduced by $6.5 million a year.

The Scottsdale Parent Council is working to prevent sacrificing that much needed money, which helps fund full-day kindergarten, music, arts, world languages, athletic programs and SUSD’s emphasis on technology.

Renewing the budget override will contribute to keeping teachers’ salaries competitive, so the school district can continue attracting and retaining the most highly qualified educators.

In addition, the override will help SUSD maintain the lower-than-the-state’s-average teacher to student ratios.

Our organization is proud to join the SUSD Governing Board, HonorHealth, Scottsdale Charros and the Scottsdale Fire Fighters Association in working together to approve the renewal of the SUSD budget override.

Our groups know we cannot take this election to maintain the quality of our schools for granted. It’s critical that voters understand its importance to students, teachers and parents.

Because our schools are one of the institutional pillars of our community, we believe a yes vote for the SUSD budget override is an investment in not only the quality of our schools, but also the strength of our community.

Editor’s Note: Lara Palles and Lisa Kanarish are the president and vice president of the Scottsdale Parent Council.